Letter Opener Shaped as an Imperial German Sword, 8.5 Inches

This diminutive 8.5-inch letter opener is fashioned in the form of an Imperial German officer’s sword, complete with a companion scabbard and unmistakable period styling. Cast in a brass-based alloy with a silvered hilt, the piece mirrors the silhouette of the pre-1914 Kavallerie and Infanterie officers’ sabers, including the fully enclosed knuckle bow, ribbed grip, and langet-like quillon. The blade is straight with a defined central ridge and a slightly clipped spear-point profile. Its scabbard features two integral suspension bands and a rounded drag, all rendered in miniature but consistent with full-sized German sabers of the Kaiserzeit.

Letter openers of this type were popular personal accessories among officers and veterans, often purchased as trench-art, front-line craft, or post-war souvenirs reflecting a man’s former branch of service. Many appeared in regimental gift shops and soldiers’ association kiosks during the 1920s–1930s, particularly in garrison cities and veteran reunions where sentimental militaria was sold in large numbers. The full hilt form suggests inspiration from models like the Preußischer I.O.D.89 or Württemberg / Bavarian cavalry sabers, though artistic liberty in the casting prevents precise attribution to a single pattern.

Collectors value these miniatures for their direct stylistic link to edged weapons while remaining an affordable entry point into Imperial-era material culture. Despite being utilitarian objects, they capture the aesthetics of period weapons and were often retained as desk pieces by former officers and noncoms. This example has obvious hand-casting traits, subtle asymmetries, and the soft detail characteristic of small-batch or artisan production rather than factory manufacture. 

Condition shows uniform age toning, a mellow brass patina on the blade and scabbard, and oxidation to the silvered hilt. The blade remains straight, with no bends or deformities, and the scabbard fits correctly. Overall presentation is untouched and appealing, with honest wear consistent with a century-old desk accessory.